POLICE OFFICER FACES TRAFFICKING CHARGES

Suspected Of Conspiring To Import Cocaine

A 14-year veteran of the Montreal police department was charged in
court yesterday with drug trafficking, money laundering, conspiracy to
import drugs and possession of the proceeds of crime.

Constable Pierre Goulet, 41, who worked at Pierre Elliott Trudeau
International Airport, was arrested yesterday morning. He entered a
not-guilty plea to the charges at the Palais de Justice.

Federal prosecutor Marie-Michele Meloche told reporters Goulet is
accused of conspiring to import cocaine, "a conspiracy that dates from
February 2000 up until about 2002."

Goulet's arrest followed a lengthy internal investigation by the
police department, a probe which is continuing.

Other arrests may occur as a result of the investigation, although no
other police officers are being targeted, said Sgt. Ian Lafreniere.
"This is proof that our internal investigations do work," he added.

Lafreniere pointed out that Goulet's alleged crimes were not committed
while the officer was on duty.

"He was living a sort of double life," Lafreniere said.

Lafreniere agreed that many officers are in shock following the arrest
of one of their own.

"The Montreal police force has 6,000 employees with no link to these
crimes," Lafreniere said.

Police chief Yvan Delorme said in a statement Goulet is suspended
without pay until the end of judicial proceedings.

Delorme will hold a news conference today to give further details on
the arrest. Goulet is scheduled to be back in court today.